Priyanka Gandhi was the Congress' brahmastra but has the party misfired it?
Despite the hype, Priyanka Gandhi did not even get to speak on her debut day. As rumours grow of her brother Rahul's coterie fearing her impact, Priyanka's no-show from Varanasi now adds to the flavour of a flop.
She was perched on the top of her car as a sea of supporters buzzed around in a maddening frenzy. Camera presence only added to the chaos as she chose to answer all my questions — except the last one, which she chose to skip and instead preferred waving at the hysterical crowd that was on the verge of breaking the chain of the smart and suave Kerala police, to catch just a glimpse of her.
The Special Protection Group (elite force) stood on guard, maintaining a hawk’s eye, circling the white SUV, as she basked in the unforeseen attention: just like a queen bee, majestically sitting on her throne, surrounded by a swarm of worker bees.
The answer to my last question was sealed in a Congress press release sent days later — a clash between PM Modi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been averted as local Congress leader Ajay Rai was declared to be contesting from Varanasi.
The entire episode not only reflects the lack of seriousness with which the Congress party has taken a decision that could possibly be a gamechanger — but also an acute lack of understanding on how to deal with the Modi challenge.
Varanasi Vanishing Act?
On more than three occasions, Priyanka, general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, had expressed her desire to challenge PM Modi.
“If the Congress president decides, I will be happy to contest from Varanasi,” she replied to a question in Wayanad.
Now that statement itself has several connotations — it showed Priyanka's willingness to take up the fight. She was more than ready to do it if Rahul Gandhi would agree. It also reflected the Congress's sluggishness in deciding the most crucial seat that would have immense weight as far as political messaging is concerned.
Priyanka — the risk-taker
An incident on a moonlit night during Priyanka's Prayagraj to Varanasi boat yatra in March could help understand whether Priyanka really meant what she said.
The scene that unfolded could easily be from a Bollywood thriller.
'Arey! Rokiye, rokiye, bhaiya ji, aage boat hai. Takkar ho jayegi' I screamed as the rest of my colleagues stood frozen in horror.
There she was — on a small speedboat right in front of our bigger boat that was dangerously closing in at a good speed much to our fear. With water levels in the Ganges dipping, she had hopped off her giant boat onto a smaller one to meet some rural folk who stood waving with torchlights by the river banks.
It was a moment of dread for all of us who could see that our boat was on the verge of colliding with Priyanka Gandhi's boat.
However, in stark contrast to our state of panic, in the dim light of the cameras, I saw Priyanka amused by the dramatic scene that was unfolding. She wasn't unnerved.
My alarm somehow averted the mishap much to everyone's relief there.
Priyanka's calm could have well been attributed to her nature — she is a certified rescuer. She is a risk-taker, but today's politics is a different ball game and it's more about saving yourself than the rest.
Brand Priyanka beaten down?
With the Varanasi drama unfolding, the differences between the BJP and the Congress vis-a-vis their political strategy for the 2019 polls, in fact, becomes starker.
The BJP's dexterity in handling its allies and its biggest brand — PM Modi — is unmatchable. The Congress has displayed shocking clumsiness and confusion on the first count with a cascading effect on brand Rahul Gandhi.
Priyanka was, for a long time, hailed by sycophants as the ‘Bramhastra’ that would demolish the Congress' rivals. In mythology, the Brahmastra was a 'dev astra' — the deadliest of weapons, fired as a last resort to attain victory.
But this sloppy show is a testimony to how the Congress has misfired its 'Bramhastra'.
Congress spin-masters seem to have lost the plot in whipping up speculations over the younger Gandhi taking on the battle of Benaras.
If the plan was to keep the opponent guessing, then why at the cost of arguably your most charismatic leader?
Undoubtedly, brand Priyanka has taken a beating as she is seen coyly withdrawingafter her sharp and aggressive positioning that earlier had BJP strategists in a bit of a tizzy.
Silent debut
Flashback to the lawns of the pristine Swaraj Bhawan in the posh Mall Avenue of Lucknow on a February evening. As Rahul Gandhi introduced the two new general secretaries in charge of Uttar Pradesh — Jyotiraditya Scindia and Priyanka Gandhi — there was anticipation in the air over what Priyanka would say on her debut day.
But Rahul spoke optimistically about the Congress winning 2022 — and that was it.
Priyanka followed Rahul off the stage without a word — much to the amusement of dozens of the journalists present.
In the age of social media, apart from the optics, people want to hear what their leaders are all about.
The underlying note in Priyanka not speaking on her debut day was that she would hog the headlines and Rahul would be pushed to the inside pages.
Significantly as well, Priyanka's debut has been quite badly timed as it came close on the heels of the national elections. Whether Congressmen agree or disagree, it is perceived as being planned as to not overshadow the older sibling.
A reined-in campaign?
Priyanka started with marathon meetings lasting with workers clocking in more than 16 hours a day.
The beginning built up the much-required tempo for the party in Uttar Pradesh. Enthusiastic workers walked out of the Congress office after meeting their new leader, dozens proposed that Priyanka should fight from Varanasi. Priyanka disposed of their wish though as she wanted to stick to her task of strengthening the organisation.
Over time, her campaign, however, lost its sheen and has been reined in to match the political arithmetic of 12 Tughlak Lane.
Her schedule is more ad hoc now with several cancellations, last-minute changes and delays.
Despite all this, Priyanka has managed to stay in the news with her spontaneous reactions and witty one-liners.
But is that not a waste of your star campaigner?
Weeks later, the 'Kabhi haan, kabhi na' has played a dampener as far as the enthusiasm of party workers is concerned and announcing Ajay Rai’s name exposes the lack of creativity, choice and planning on the part of the Congress president, Rahul Gandhi.
If it was to build 'suspense', yes, it did. But it also ensured a B-grade side role for the Congress as the BJP superstar is all set to shine in the Kaashi blockbuster.
Whether it will have a bumper opening countrywide, we will know on May 23.